Installing and Configuring the Hardware and Windows Server 2003

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Applies To: Windows Server 2003, Windows Server 2003 R2, Windows Server 2003 with SP1, Windows Server 2003 with SP2

The first step in performing the implementation of the new cluster is to install and configure the hardware and Windows Server 2003 for each cluster host. Install and configure all cluster host hardware at the same time to ensure that you eliminate any configuration errors prior to installing and configuring the Network Load Balancing cluster.

To install and configure Windows Server 2003 on the cluster host hardware, you must be logged on as a user account that is a member of the local administrators group on all cluster hosts. Install and configure the cluster host by using the information documented in the "NLB Cluster Host Worksheet" that your design team completed for that host during the design process.

To install and configure the hardware and Windows Server 2003 on each cluster host in the new cluster, complete the following tasks:

  1. Install the cluster host hardware in accordance with the manufacturer’s recommendations.

  2. Connect the cluster host hardware to the network infrastructure.

  3. Install Windows Server 2003 with the default options and specifications from the worksheet for the cluster host.

  4. Install any additional services (such as IIS 6.0 or Routing and Remote Access) by using the design specifications for the service.

    For detailed instructions on installing additional services, see the resources related to the corresponding service in "Additional Resources for Deploying Network Load Balancing" later in this chapter.

  5. Configure the TCP/IP property settings and verify connectivity for the cluster adapters.

    Caution

    • Configure the dedicated IP address at this time. The cluster IP address and any virtual IP addresses for port rules are added later in the deployment process through Network Load Balancing Manager.

  6. If a separate management network is used, configure the TCP/IP property settings and verify connectivity for the management adapter.

    Although not required, it is recommended that you use a separate management network adapter to provide a communication path that is isolated both from the cluster adapter and from the clients. For more information about the benefits of including a management network adapter in your design, see "Selecting the Number of Network Adapters in Each Cluster Host" in "Designing Network Load Balancing" in this book.

  7. Configure each server to be a member server in a domain created specifically for managing the cluster and other related servers.

    Although not required, creating a domain for management of the cluster provides a centralized method of controlling security to the cluster. Management of clusters installed in a workgroup is more difficult and time-consuming. When the cluster resides in a perimeter network, create a separate forest for the exclusive purpose of managing servers (including cluster hosts) in the perimeter network.